Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels In Brooklyn, NYC

For many years now, New York City has seemed like a vortex, the very center of the world. And while Manhattan may walk away with all the glory, it’s the beguiling borough of Brooklyn that’s quietly but steadily coming into its own. NYC is considered one of the world’s greatest gay-friendly cities, but few know that it’s Brooklyn that has always been at the epicenter. That’s why we sought out the best gay friendly hotels in Brooklyn to stay in to witness the hipster-led LGBTQ renaissance in the historic borough. What we found was a range of hotels, from stunning boutique hotels to larger brands with gay-friendly outposts. Besides their major selling point, they also have a great location in the happening Williamsburg neighborhood, which is where most gay bars are. Plus, they have excellent amenities and a great staff as well.

What’s more, Brooklyn hosts some of the most major LGBTQ+ events in the city. Even though NYC’s Pride, one of the world’s biggest Pride parades, takes place in Manhattan, Brooklyn is home to the Brooklyn Liberation March. In fact, it’s the largest transgender rights demonstration in LGBTQ history. We also visited the crown jewel, the sensory overload called the House of Yes, and saw the wildest parties on the planet!

Despite being part of the larger fabric of New York City, we saw, explored, and did so much more in Brooklyn. Our first stop was the iconic sight of the Brooklyn Bridge, which is one of the top things to do in New York City. We also visited the Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Museum, and the gorgeous Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. So, if you’re planning a trip to NYC, then Brooklyn should feature extensively on your itinerary – including your stay.

The William Vale Hotel

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Best views. We found very few hotels that could live up to the aura of The William Vale Hotel, one of the chicest and hottest gay friendly hotels in Brooklyn. Tucked in the vibrant Williamsburg, it lies just one street away from the East River and three streets away from the cluster of Brooklyn’s fabulous gay bars. That’s why we think it’s one of the top gay-friendly hotels in New York City too. The stunning boutique hotel boasts light and futuristic interiors with lots of blond wood, dove greys, and discrete geometric details. We especially loved the floor-to-ceiling glass walls that offer incredible views. However, our absolute favorite was the rooftop pool, which is the largest outdoor pool in any NYC hotel. The equally massive deck was peppered with plush loungers for us to laze around after a refreshing swim.

That’s not all. Sitting right next to it is the gay-popular Westlight, NYC’s most dazzling rooftop bar with never-seen-before 360-degree views of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Aside from a high-tech gym that overlooks the pool, we even found a full-service concierge desk that dishes out the best local travel tips. Besides a famed donuts outpost, the food in the hotel’s Italian restaurant is to die for. Breakfast with cheese and herb frittatas, pastries, and house-pressed juices is a paid but decadent affair that we couldn’t miss.

It seems that 2001: A Space Odyssey was the inspiration for the rooms at William Vale. The piece de resistant is the giant cube-like bathroom that glows in the evening and has sliding black-and-white glass doors. The glowing edge details also exist on the wardrobe and on the huge private balcony with alfresco seating and East River views. It was where we had our cup of coffee every morning. Rounding up the trappings is a custom-filled fridge, L’Occitane en Provence toiletries, and swish mod-cons.

Nu Hotel

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We stayed in the heart of hip Brooklyn at Nu Hotel, one of the hippest gay hotels in Brooklyn. This affordable and no-frills Brooklyn hotel has oodles of urban character and décor inspired by the surrounding lofts. Aside from a central location that’s within walking distance of Williamsburg, it has an aptly-named bar called Misdemeanor, which we found to be very gay-popular.

An unassuming entrance opens to a small lobby and an open kitchen where we were served drinks and breakfast every day. Breakfast is an especially hearty affair with DIY teas and coffees, juice cartons, fruit, yogurt, cereals, English muffins, and Brooklyn bagels. What’s more, the staff is helpful and very approachable. Wrapping up the free facilities is the 24-hour gym and the orange soda-colored bikes, which we borrowed for exploring the neighborhood.

All the loft-inspired rooms are sexy to boot, with Keurig coffeemakers and slick rainforest showers in the bathrooms. Unique artwork adorns the wall of Nu Perspective category rooms. Since we wanted to splurge, we chose the Urban Suite, which is hands-down the best room in the hotel and has an in-room hammock. Sigh.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

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Best boutique hotel. The star of all gay friendly hotels in Brooklyn is 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, which offers spectacular views of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, the East River, and Downtown Manhattan. It was one of our best stays for amazing Instagram pictures. Hailed as one of the most exclusive of Brooklyn’s boutique hotels, 1 Hotel boasts a nature-inspired design with reclaimed wood and native greenery. All in all, it felt like a serene waterfront retreat to us, far removed from NYC’s concrete jungle vibe. In fact, the place overflows with natural materials, complemented by industrial-chic elements such as large metal hanging lamps. The overall feel is trendy, which we absolutely loved, right from the free apples everywhere to floor-to-ceiling windows. Since we’re eco-conscious, we loved elements such as five-minute sand timers in showers as reminders and low-energy bulbs. If that wasn’t enough, the hotel runs entirely on wind energy!

“When we heard that the hotel runs on wind energy, it got us very excited. But what we were completely unprepared for was just how indulgent the amenities and spaces are, including the spa. It’s something we’d have never imagine!”

WOW Travel

The rest of the hotel is equally impressive and boasts a plethora of facilities. We found the rooftop pool with phenomenal views of Manhattan to be the most impressive of them all. Aside from a gym, it also has a host of social spaces and meeting rooms where we could mingle with fellow travelers. After a languorous swim and lounge, we headed to the very popular basement Bamford Haybarn Spa. It features holistic treatments using natural ingredients, making this one of the best spa hotels in New York City. And when we were hungry, the Scandi-inspired ground-floor café with an all-day menu was perfect.

Natural hues and huge windows lend the rooms here an absolute sense of calm. Moreover, the open-plan rooms come with plush hemp mattresses, swish mod-cons, and chic bathrooms. Do upgrade to a room category that promises views of Brooklyn Bridge, as we did.

The Williamsburg Hotel

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Enviable views of Manhattan’s skyline and a fantastic location close to Williamsburg’s gay bars are what made The Williamsburg Hotel a top pick for us. Tucked right in the beating heart of Brooklyn, the hotel sits in a striking thin glass and red-brick structure that we loved photographing from all angles. On the inside, it’s hipster meets Wall Street in style; think a central copper bar, Chesterfields, and velvet sofas in jewel hues.

Aside from a very cheery and helpful staff, the headline act here is the rooftop pool. The 40-foot-long stunner, complete with a water bar, was one of the best places in the city to swim and people-watch. That’s why we also voted it as one of the best NYC hotels with rooftop pools. Other amenities, such as the complimentary tuk-tuk that dropped us off at local sights, are great. We liked that the on-site restaurant served all meals, including a Brooklyn-inspired tea, lox bagels, and avocado toast for breakfast.

Though compact, the rooms are very comfortable and colorful, from aqua bathroom tiles and mustard yellow cushions to brown leather headboards and white linens and walls. We loved the naughty quotient in the form of the semi-open bathrooms, complete with bathrobes and a bathtub for romantic sessions. Since views are the main element here, we chose the Terrace Room, which has a balcony with sweeping views of Manhattan.

Henry Norman Hotel

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Best heritage hotel. Set in a former 19th-century textile factory, the Henry Norman Hotel is one of the most stylish gay-friendly hotels in Brooklyn. It’s not only within walking distance of Williamsburg’s gay bars, but also it has a complimentary vintage car service that got us to cafes, boutiques, and restaurants of Greenpoint.

What we appreciated is that the hotel retains its textile factory roots with high ceilings and bare brick walls. That said, the colorful textiles, Moroccan-tiled floors, and artwork throughout lend it character. Not surprisingly, the service is beyond excellent, as are the amenities. We could catch up on work at the lower-level lounge with two computers and work out in the gym. When we visited during summer, we found the public outdoor terraces to be very gay-popular. And even though it has no restaurant, we were served coffee and breakfast pastries to begin the day.

The rooms, or rather studio apartments, are warm and inviting, with plush beds, hardwood floors, and midcentury furniture. We chanced upon quirky curios such as weathered copies of The Sound and the Fury and an antique set of scales. The vintage wall prints in the bathroom and the nice selection of Brooklyn Winery half bottles and Dean & Lucca roasted nuts were especially great touches. Pro tip: We upgraded to rooms with private balconies with Manhattan skyline views.

Franklin Guesthouse

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Since we were looking for local flavor, we chose to stay at the Franklin Guesthouse, which is also one of the overall best hotels in Brooklyn, NYC. This charming boutique hotel lies in a handsome white townhouse in the historically Polish and lively neighborhood of North Greenpoint. Check-in is a personal and low-key affair befitting the location, so we felt like we were in a home away from home. The social spaces in mint green hues and white-and-blue cityscape screen prints are gorgeous and saw us taking many pictures. While there’s no breakfast on-site, the staff was more than happy to point us in the direction of many excellent places within a stone’s throw. That said, the hotel has a small gym and sauna, and BarGlory, which serves delicious fusion cuisine and does room service.

Rooms are akin to lovely studio apartments with mid-century modern furniture, well-equipped kitchenettes, and artful curios. Adding to the luxe feel are marble bathrooms, high ceilings, and minibars stocked with local NY produce such as SlantShack jerky and Sixpoint IPA. Perfection, indeed.

Tillary Hotel

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Industrial aesthetic meets Art-Deco style in the Tillary Hotel, one of the best gay hotels in Brooklyn’s Downtown. Tucked at the base of Manhattan Bridge, this stylish and modern hotel has wood flooring and polished concrete walls, with nods to old Brooklyn with vintage photos. Topping everything off is Art Deco touches such as tarnished lamps and gilded wall designs. We were welcomed into the warmly lit lobby with gold and deep teal sofas. It’s the perfect place to hobnob with fellow travelers and get travel tips from the friendly staff.

A sizeable gym aside, we also found a basement ballroom and a sixth-floor outdoor terrace with views of Manhattan Bridge. A whiskey-focused second-floor bar opens onto a huge beer garden, which was an excellent summer drinking hotspot. Every morning, we’d sit in the sun-kissed lobby cafe and dig into a breakfast of snacks, cereals, toasted bagels, pastries, and Nobletree coffee.

Bright and sunny rooms (there are quieter ones at the back), have grey, black, and white color schemes with a statement wall as the standout. Frette linens, Keurig coffeemakers, and C.O. Bigelow bath products in Carrara marble bathrooms lend a luxurious touch to the place.

The Box House Hotel

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Best location. Located at the northern end of Greenpoint, we found the gay-friendly Box House Hotel to be an excellent jumping-off point for exploring Brooklyn and beyond. The quirky hotel isn’t like a traditional hotel, and we felt like we were staying at a friend’s place in the city. That’s how we felt like Brooklyn locals, exploring the ground zero of NYC hipsterdom. Despite being a budget hotel, we appreciated the 24-hour business center and the 1970s checker cab shuttle service to the subway. Furthermore, there’s even a fitness center with a dry sauna and steam showers for unwinding. The restaurant offers a delicious, albeit paid breakfast buffet – think pancakes, omelets, and French toast. It’s also open for other meals, while you can enjoy delicious drinks at the bar.

With natural oak hardwood floors, large windows, and bright hues, the suites and lofts here feel like homey apartments. The best bit is that all have kitchenettes with coffeemakers, cooktops, and all appliances and dishware so we could relax with home-like comforts.

Aloft New York Brooklyn

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Lying in the commercial center of Downtown Brooklyn is Aloft Brooklyn, one of the most budget-friendly gay-friendly hotels in Brooklyn. A younger, wallet-friendlier take on the W brand, this place welcomed us within a high-ceilinged industrial-chic lobby. The grey-hued palette is interspersed with splashes of retro pink and whimsical Insta-worthy features. These include an LED ticker that displays announcements, a free popcorn machine, and a pool table. The relaxed service is made all the bettered by the thoughtful staff and a few but good facilities. The small but well-equipped gym and the huge indoor-outdoor pool area are the absolute highlights here. Lying by the pool after a long day of exploring the city was very relaxing.

Food is well-thought, too, with the grab-and-go Re:fuel café offering 24/7 beverages and snacks, along with hot egg sandwiches and waffles for breakfast. What we loved was the room service, with Sheraton’s restaurant supplying Italian fare. Later in the evening, we headed to the Kimoto Rooftop to kick back craft beers, cocktails, and Asian fare, such as sushi. Rounding up the facilities is the walk-up W XYZ bar which dishes out specialty cocktails.

The grey rooms might feel boxy, but they have cloud-like king beds, Bliss beauty products in the bathrooms, and black-and-white photos of old Brooklyn. For better views, choose the west-facing rooms or ones on the higher floors, as we did.

EVEN Hotel Brooklyn

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Since we’re health-conscious, looking for a cool wellness-focused hotel in Downtown Brooklyn isn’t difficult, with the Even Hotel around. With an eco-friendly design, natural food, and in-room exercise equipment, this hotel was a cinch for us as we wanted to stay in shape while on holiday. From the rooms to the social spaces, this hotel takes pride in its wellness and health theme. The lobby’s open plan, with seating vignettes on one side and games and books on the other, was a great place to mingle with other travelers. The orange and turquoise color palette can only be described as “happy,” with clever quotes and phrases plastered across the walls.

Off the lobby sits the healthy restaurant with a bar with nutritious pasta, bowls, sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads on the menu. The breakfast lineup sounds delicious; we’d recommend the egg quinoa wrap or the cheese, sausage, and spinach frittata, which was enough to carry us for almost 6 hours! If you’re looking for a grab-and-go meal, try the “Revolution” smoothie made from agave nectar, apple juice, almond milk, blueberries, and kale. Fitness freaks will love the well-equipped two-story athletic studio. What’s more, we even found a group that runs to Brooklyn Bridge Park! Later on, we unwound in the bricked courtyard alongside the bar or the seventh-floor terrace.

For those who love exercise regimens, rooms come with training guides, resistance bands, core exercise balls, and yoga mats. After that, we definitely required ultra-comfy beds and EO body products stocked in spa-like bathrooms. Spy impressive views of Manhattan and Brooklyn from the higher floors.

Hoxton Hotel

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Topping the list of the best gay-friendly hotels in Brooklyn is the innately British Hoxton Hotel. The hotel lies in the heart of Williamsburg, just a couple of blocks from its cluster of gay bars. Why we chose it? Because of its thoughtful service in a slick design setup – and that too at a price far below most NYC hotels. Sitting in a structure that was a Rosenwach water tower factory earlier, the hotel retains industrial-chic elements. For instance, its restaurant is built around a reconstruction of the factory’s old carriage house!

When we entered, the sunken ground-floor lobby felt more like a living room than a lobby, complete with two fireplaces, floral armchairs, and vintage sofas. Later, we grabbed the vintage-style free bikes to explore the neighborhood. After a long day, the rooftop restaurant and bar felt inviting with floral barstools, pastel loungers, and sweeping Manhattan skyline views. The hotel also has a second-floor terrace bar that’s more of a social space with sun loungers, fairy lights, and ping-pong tables. We especially loved the all-day menu with a full English breakfast at the restaurant, which also served other meals.

Rooms make clever use of space while featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views across Brooklyn or the East River to Manhattan. Minimalistic bathrooms with slick fittings made our stay comfy. Thanks to the brand’s ‘no rip-offs’ policy, we found a small fridge, coffee and tea, and kettles in the room. What’s more, we were delivered a free light breakfast of a breakfast pot, banana, and juice in the morning too. The absolute best bit is the helpful little notebooks which offer a wealth of tips and information about the neighborhood, along with a 10-book library and a map.

Our Verdict!

While we love all the LGBTQ-friendly hotels mentioned, we did like some more than others for their specific features. That’s why we’ve come up with a specialized list below:

• Best views: The William Vale Hotel
• Best boutique hotel: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
• Best heritage hotel: Henry Norman Hotel
• Best location: The Box House Hotel 

Just So You Know:

• Brooklyn had a notable gay population and culture long before the Stonewall riots. It’s fascinating how accepted the queer community was in Brooklyn at that time. Today, Brooklyn is the hub for queer culture in NYC.
• The Brooklyn Liberation March, which took place in both 2020 and 2021, began at Grand Army Plaza in 2020 and Brooklyn Museum in 2021. It ended at Fort Greene Park both times and focused on supporting Black transgender lives.

Get Some Culture in Brooklyn:

• Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo District Walking Tour: Have you ever wondered how the Brooklyn Bridge came about? That’s we went on this amazing walking tour, where we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. The knowledgeable local guide told us the dramatic and amazing story of how this famous landmark was erected. We also enjoyed stunning Manhattan skyline views and snapped pictures of a lifetime.
• Brooklyn Liberation March: Helmed by the QTPOC grassroots collective Brooklyn Liberation, the first march took place in 2020, calling for justice for countless black trans victims of violence. This march saw a sea of people dressed in white calling for answers to the 100+ bills filed in more than 34 states targeting trans youth. The 2021 version saw a sea of people dressed in white rallying for the black trans and non-binary community.

Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Brooklyn:

• House of Yes: This theatre nightclub is Brooklyn’s most famous party venue and hosts artistic performances like burlesque nights, dirty circus, and other creative shows. Each night we visited was a different immersive experience, with extra surprises, themes, and DJs spinning tunes. 
• Metropolitan: Things are always hopping at Metropolitan, which is one of Brooklyn’s original gay bars that’s been around since 2002. During weekends, get ready to see boys wall-to-wall against the bar, ready to cruise and dance all night long! From Memorial through Labor Day, Sundays see free afternoon beer barbeques in the back garden.
• 3 Dollar Bill: This is Brooklyn’s biggest LGBTQ+ bar and nightclub that’s tucked inside an old brewery. They reopened as the largest queer venue in Brooklyn and have a large dance floor too. The space also hosts comedy, drag, band shows, and much more events.

Best Gay Saunas in Brooklyn:

• East Side Club NYC: This is NYC’s premier social relaxation club and sauna for gay and bisexual men. Aside from a steam bath, you’ll also find private cabins for some good old-fashioned fun. Having been around for close to 50 years, this is Brooklyn’s and NYC’s premier cruising site.